Discover Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted to You (and Not Others!)

If you’ve found yourself wondering what makes you more prone to mosquito bites than others, you’re not alone. These annoying tiny creatures gravitate toward you for a couple of reasons, and they may not be the ones you think. Discover why mosquitoes are attracted to you (and not others), learn what other things they’re attracted to, and how to repel them!

Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted To Me?

Although you often hear people say, “Your blood is sweeter” and that’s why mosquitoes are more attracted to you, that’s not the case. It’s a bit more complex than that. For instance, your body size has something to do with why mosquitoes are attracted to you. You release carbon dioxide with each exhale, which is like a signal to mosquitoes saying, “I’m here!” The bigger the exhale, the more attractive it is to mosquitoes. It’s a little unnerving knowing that the simple act of breathing can change a mosquito’s course toward you!

Body Temperature

Another reason mosquitoes are attracted to you is your body temperature. It’s not just carbon dioxide they detect — they’re also scanning for body temperature. The warmer you are, the more they want to hang out around you. Some people are naturally warmer than others, which is why mosquitoes may gravitate more toward you than your friends. Quick recap: we have carbon dioxide and body temperature as two major culprits!

Sweat

And when you’re hot, you sweat! It’s your body’s way of cooling you down. But guess what? Mosquitoes are attracted to sweat too. You don’t need to be emitting a terrible stink, mosquitoes can pick up on your sweat, which in many cases is odorless to humans. Your sweat contains both ammonia and lactic acid, which is like ice-cold lemonade or ice cream on a hot day — yum! Keep this in mind post-workout or on particularly hot summer days and use a repellent (more on that below).

This next reason is a kicker. As if pregnant people weren’t dealing with enough already, mosquitoes just tag on for a little extra torment. But remember — body size and body temperature play a role in how attractive you are to mosquitoes, so it makes sense that a growing belly and naturally rising body temperatures translate into a field day for mosquitoes.

Yes, the Reason Is You

We did address the non-stinky sweat earlier but sometimes; the stink is real! And yes, mosquitoes are into it. Ultimately, it’s the bacteria that live on your skin that transform your sweat into the odor that makes it to your nostrils. Although the specifics aren’t understood, it’s known that each person has their special scent, and mosquitoes may gravitate to one person over another based on what kind of funk they have going on. In keeping with body odor, it’s your diet that affects it. So, what you eat and drink also plays a role in whether or not mosquitoes want to get some of you!

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

Now that you know a bit more about why mosquitoes prefer you over others, you can consider what other things mosquitoes may be attracted to. You want to keep these pesky flying insects away, especially if you’re enjoying the weather, grilling outside, and having friends and family over. While they’re known as blood-sucking, some mosquitoes are also into nectar. While a blooming garden is gorgeous and fantastic for pollinators, it’s also a delicious buffet for some mosquitoes. We’re not saying tear down your garden, just move the party over to the other side of your yard!

Mosquitoes are also attracted to standing water. It’s a pool party for them and they don’t even need an invite. Anything that holds water is attractive to mosquitoes from a bird bath to a kid’s toy left out in the rain. Keep your garden blooming but keep your weeds and tall grasses trimmed. Mosquitoes appreciate the shade of these environments during the middle of the day so if you remove them, they have to find another spot to hang out.

How to Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes aren’t only annoying; they are also dangerous (even deadly). You can make changes outdoors to keep mosquitoes away (like using oil of citronella) and you can also use repellents on your body, clothes, and gear when you’re out and about. Some options include:

• Creams
• Liquids
• Sprays
• Aerosols

Look for the following ingredients:

• Oil of lemon-eucalyptus
• Ethyl hexanediol
• Picaridin
• Metofluthrin
• N-Diethyl-3-Methylbenzamide (DEET)
• Diethyl phthalate
• Diethyl carbate

Along with the use of repellents, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants outdoors during mosquito season. Also, check out the full list of suggestions on The American Mosquito Control Association website, including which repellent works best.